Wardwell Greene Robinson

November 28, 1829 - December 8, 1913

from the Syracuse Herald, December 9, 1913:

COL. WARDWELL G.
ROBINSON DEAD.
---------
Noted Lawyer, and One of
Oswego's Richest Men.
---------
HE WAS A FORTY-NINER
--------
And Succeeded in His Search For
Gold in California's Pioneer Days
--A Veteran of the Civil War and
a Patron of Many Sports.
--------
Oswego, Dec. 9--Col. Wardwell G.
Robinson, one of the best known G. A.
R. veterans of the civil war in this
county, and the dean of the Oswego
County Bar association, died at 10
o'clock last night at his home at the
corner of West First and Mohawk
streets after a short illness.
He was a man of many peculiarities
and in his youth was a patron of all
kinds of sports and athletic ventures.
He had the finest and most complete
law library in this part of the State,
having started in 1854 to purchase al-
most every law book as it was issued.
This will form the nucleus of the Os-
wego county law library, as before his
death the colonel announced that he
would give his collection to the Bar
association, providing that adequate
funds could be secured to keep it up
to date.
Colonel Robinson until two weeks
ago never had a sick day. He was
84 years old and never wore an over-
coat, and until late years no gloves.
He daily arose at 5 o'clock and walked
several miles before breakfast. He
was the leading consulting lawyer of
his period, and in his active practice
accomplished a reputation beyond those
of the present period. He never took
part in politics, but was once a police
commissioner.
Sought Gold Three Years
He was born in Mexico in 1829, the
son of Orville Robinson, who was also
a noted local lawyer. He was gradu-
ated from Mexico academy and then
studied law with his father. When
gold was discovered in California
young Robinson was one of the first
forty-niners and was successful in his
quest after three years' hard work. He
then opened a law office here and had
since been in practice, except for the
period when as colonel of the 184th
New York volunteers, he went to the
front in 1862.
He was a member of Post O'Brien,
G. A. R., and president of the 184th
Reunion association. He was also a
member of the Oswego lodge, No. 127, F.
and A. M. He is survived by two
cousins, Mrs. Elsie Hollan of Jersey
City and Frank C. Thomas of this city.
Colonel Robinson had alsways been
rated as one of the wealthiest men in
the city.